Ways with Wood Exhibit St Al- bans Gallery 21 May­10 July: Chris will be displaying a Honey Chestnut with Chocolate Points. Hours are 11 ­5pm Fri/Sat/Sun .

Guest Speakers Kenthurst Rotary May 16, 2005: After being treated to a delicious meal at President Terry’s table, Chris and Viktoria spoke on the realities of operating a successful small business in a handcrafted item. They took along a finished stan­ dard rocking horse, Chris’ rough­carved carousel horse and one of the Carousel horses to be restored from his new commission. (See story on Carousel Restora­

RRH Launches New Postcard - Your Copy Inside

Antique Carousel Commission

On May 20 RRH launched its new promotional post­ card at the Brisbane Tim­ ber Show. The new card features a group shot of the three best selling col­ ours of finished Rocking Horses and a before and after shot of a typical Roe­ buck restoration. It also highlights in two insert photos our classes and Bed and Breakfast. John and Robynne Siemon (RHC 13.3.05) from Ken­ more, QLD were our de­ lightful models for the class photo.

RRH at “Out of the Woodwork” May 7 & 8, 2005: RRH was again asked to appear at this annual event at Rouse House. This is the 4th year this rare trades show has been run. The weather was glorious and many brochures for classes were handed out. Chris carved some of his C.W. Parker carousel. Sienna and Bijan came with us and a lovely time was had by all.

Chris has recently received a commission restore 30 carousel horses from an 1876 English Carousel . The Carousel is a working ride be­ longing to John Short. It travels the Royal Shows on the east coast of Australia. We have the first three horses in the poorest condition. They have been fibre­glassed at some point in the past and require substantial restoration. We believe American Alder to be what was used in the horses originally. Chris is standing behind a horse show­ ing you the “Romance Side”. The project is expected to take 2­3 years to complete.

Special points of interest: • RRH Promotional Postcard Launch at Brissy Timber Show

• New Commission for restoration of 129 year old working Carousel

• Vikki & Chris’s Birthdays

• Brisbane & Sydney Timber Show News

• Alumni Brag Page Launched

• RRH on two new “Trails”

• Chris’s Tips

• New Winter Menu

Princess Sienna test driving the “ Large Bay”

An Occasional Publication by Viktoria & Chris Woolcock of Renaissance Rocking Horses P/L

Volume 1, Issue 1 June 30, 2005

Head shot of C.W. Parker Plan Horse ­ Romance side

You Know You’re Old When...

April 2005: With the knowledge that he would soon be receiving a commission to restore 30 antique carousel horses, Chris thought he should begin to hone his chisel and detail carving skills. We ordered these full size blue prints of a C.W. Parker Country Fairground Style Carousel Horse from “The Carousel Store” on the www from the US. He is made of NZ Radiata Pine, just like our standard rocking horses and Chris is enjoy­ ing getting his teeth into some detail carving during his wind down moments. Pine is a little cheaper than Alder which costs about $700 for the 120 super feet required for this horse.

Just prior to the Brisbane Timber Show a lady bought in one of Chris’ old horses made of celery top pine. It was dated by the Tas­ manian newspaper under the saddle 18.11.83. Before and after shots here. You know you are getting old when you have to restore your own 22 year old rocking horse. Chris was also reminded on how far he had come in improving the design, carving and finishing of his horses.

Chris Tries His Hand at Carousel Carving

Class Alumni at Br isbane Timber Show

known to Robynne and John the next day was Viktoria’s birthday so the dinner was an extra special treat.

May 20­22, 2005: Chris and Viktoria were delighted to meet up with all the QLD gradu­ ates of the Inaugural term of Rocking Horse University on the first day of the Brisbane Timber Show. Bill and Ann Beckett (RHC 13/2/05) from Highlands dropped in to pur­ chase a couple of saddles and mane/tail sets; Ken Schaffer (RHC 27/3/05) came all the way from Malanda and dropped off a cross stitch and some porcelain doll clothes pat­ terns for Viktoria from his wife Dawn. We really needed to put Ken on a commission as he was talking up a storm to couples about the joys of the class. Bruce and Judith Arthur

(RHC 10/4/05) from Upper Caboolture came to see us at our stand. Judith shared the joys of cross stitch with Viktoria during their class. Finally John Siemon (RHC 13/3/05) dropped in and had a chat and invited us to his place in Kenmore for a beautifully home cooked dinner by Robynne on the Saturday Night. We thoroughly enjoyed their company and all their collectables, porcelain dolls and magnificent three storey English doll’s house. On the way back to our motel John & Robynne took us up to Mt Cootha Lookout to see the night lights of Brisbane. Unbe­

Page 2 Rocking Horse Reveille

Profile of C.W. Parker Plan Horse ­ non– Romance side

May 19, 2005: Chris celebrated his 56th birth­ day on the road to the Brisbane Timber Show & on the way back I bought him a model Clydesdale and Courage Draught Wagon com­ plete with little barrels from an antique store.

May 22, 2005: Vikki celebrated her 42nd birth­ day on the Sunday and at the same store, Sum­ merland Antiques at Ballina we got this c.1875 Cane English Pram in exchange for the bay rocking horse we did not sell from the stand at the show. (Rocking horse currency can be use­ ful sometimes.) This pram will have the inte­ rior reupholstered in diamond buttoned choco­ late velvet and awaits a porcelain baby.

A Tail of Two Trails

Sydney Timber Show 2005

day and they were down visiting. The rocking horse they made now has its owner. We have seen so much of John and Robynne lately we felt we were being “stalked!!”

June 3­5, 2005: Sydney Timber Show at Fox Studios was a lot of fun, but without much return on the weekend. We did get a great deal of interest in the classes and only time will tell if this interest eventuates in book­ ings. The biggest battle is convincing people that you can make a rocking horse in three days. Sienna came in on the Sunday and she was a very good girl. We had visits from Ted Thornburrow (RHC 27.02.05), Clive Hutchens (RHC 13.02.05), Robert & Jan Harvey (RHC 27.02.05) Jim & Faye Durie (RHC 13.03.05) and John and Robynne Siemon (RHC 13.03.05) again. Their first grandchild, a little girl arrived on the Thurs­

March 2005: Renaissance Rocking Horses instigated the Windsor Antiques, Collect­ ables & Vintage Wares Trail Brochure and Association. Informal meetings are held quarterly at Rocking Horse Lodge and mem­ bers decide collectively on the advertising and promotional avenues they will pursue together. This way we reduce advertising costs for all. Look out for our full page ad for the Windsor Trail in the May­August issue of Antiques and Art in NSW.

April 2005: Renaissance Rocking Horses joins the Hawkesbury Harvest and Farmgate Trail promoting their Bed and Breakfast, plus the workshop and classes. The Farmgate Trail features a plethora of farm fresh pro­ duce, wineries, artisans and unique accom­ modation in the Hawkesbury Valley. Mem­ bers of the Farmgate trail have been featured on Sydney Weekender and Chris and I are pursuing a segment on same vigorously.

Vikki & Chris’ Bir thdays Celebrated on the Road

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

Victorian Carousel Summerhouse Plans

Soups include: Potato, Leek and Spinach

Cream of Tomato Sweet Potato, Pumpkin & Orange

Hot Savouries include: Coq Au Vin

Spinach & Feta Pie Quiche Lorraine

Desserts Include: Mini Apricot Trifles

Waffles and Mixed Berry Sauce Baked Apple Heaven

New Winter Menu

We all have a dream and this is mine. You may recall me alluding to the plans for a land­ mark tourist attraction to be built on the front lawn just in front of the workshop. Chris has worked out that it will be a hexagon about 8 m across and with 6 uniquely posed timber carved and painted carousel horses attached to the support posts. The support posts will be about 40 cm inside the roof awnings’ edge to protect them from the weather. Further pro­ tection from the weather will be achieved by heavy duty zippable clear pvc bistro blinds to completely protect the horses . The centre pole can have a custom table built around it with curved seating benches. We would expect to seat 25 to 30 individuals for group tour morning/afternoon teas and of course class groups. We imagine by doing most of the work ourselves and perhaps with some contra from an awning company we could complete this project for around $5000. Anyway, this little dream is in my Two­Year Plan. Watch for updates.

July 8, 2005: We launch a new menu at this first class of the winter term. I have intro­ duced soup entrees and light warm desserts to keep the students fortified.

I have a renewed respect for caterers. It re­ quires an enormous amount of thought and planning to arrive at dishes that will be bal­ anced, appeal to the majority and fit budget and time constraints. It all sounds so yummy—I hope I can pull it off!!??

HSC Major Works Project New Sign 24 June, 2005: Chris finally put our new street sign up. We have just a little trim­ ming of the brush around it to improve visibility. We got our first booking at the B&B within 24 hours of it being erected!

June 23, 2005: A father and his son from the Steiner School in Dural are making a rocking horse each over a 10 week period at Rocking Horse Lodge. Steven Kasper is 16 and is making the horse for his HSC Major Works Project. His father Len is un­ dertaking a horse for pleasure and profit, ie to resell to cover the cost of his son’s class. They are both well into the carving having had to cut and glue all parts from plan.

Page 4 Rocking Horse Reveille

Brag Book

We get some great feedback from alumni. It is always so satisfying to know that we have been successful in bringing pleasure to others through the Rocking Horse Making Experi­ ence. Here are some excerpts from than­ kyou’s from you the graduates that have especially warmed our hearts: The people we met were all lovely (and we made a great team!) and your lunches were the best. You made us feel very welcome and we learned so much… We have been proud to show off “Rajsheed”

...Apparently being a Masterbuilder is OK, but having the added title of “RHC” really puts the icing on the cake.

The horse is a great talking piece. We are having friends call in just to see the horse!!... I cannot thank you enough for the support and assistance you gave in helping me finish the job that I know will bring pleasure to my grandchil- dren for years to come Charlotte was delighted with her horse and of course, everyone couldn’t believe that it was made in only three days.

We had just the best weekend. Everybody loves our horse. All our kids want one now. ..such happy memories of the wonderful experi­ ence we had doing the horse and teddy classes ...It was a lovely surprise and such a nice touch at the end to receive the framed certificate, leather apron, cap and tiny ted. Thank you

In upcoming issues we would love to have your happy snaps of finished horses and RRH projects. You can send us a pic of your grandchild/child with the horse you made in class or send us photos of your subsequent horses and projects such as RRH Farm Animals, Walker Trainers, Clydesdales and Carts etc. We are always delighted and interested to see what other’s interpre­ tations of our plans turn out like. Right: Ted Thornburrow (RHC 27.02.05) and grand­daughter with a Walker Trainer.

Left: With a decline in the availability and quality of tanned horse tails it has become necessary to use the woven horse tails. The weave has a short and long side. To help protect the woven edge from wear and tear we are now carving a ledge on the right hand side of centre line on the neck to “nestle and nail” the weave into.

Right: Chris has attached his large sanding pad way off centre on the sander polisher to get into that awkward place on the neck un­ der the chin. Very effective little trick!

Feedback from Alumni

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1

Chris’ Tips

News Item in Woodworker Magazine Our first two graduates of Rocking Horse University: Bill Beckett

(RHC 13.2.05) from Highlands, QLD and Clive Hutchens (RHC 13.2.05) from Hornsby Heights, NSW; were featured in a

news item in the above magazine in the May issue. See what celebrity being a RHC brings?!

Special Offer to Clubs For every 4 full paying students in one class from special interest

groups such as Rotary, Lions, Probus, Woodworking Co­opertatives etc, Renaissance Rocking Horses will donate a

finished rocking horse to your club for use as a fundraising or raffle prize.

Australia’s Leading Makers & Restorers

Large Horse Plans on Drawing Board Chris is finalising the Large Horse Plans as we go to press and these should be available for purchase by August.

Please notify us if you have a change of address by writing, emailing, faxing or phoning.

Edwardian Walker Trainer

ONLY $25.00

Pull Along Farm Animals: Cow, Horse, Sheep and Pig

ONLY $20.00

Clydesdale & Farm Cart with Mixed Stock

ONLY $35.00

Plans Available from RRH via Mail Order

Rocking Horse Lodge 143 Pitt Town Road McGraths Hill NSW 2756

Phone: (02) 4577­8697 Fax: (02) 4577­5061 Email: info@rockinghorses.com.au

Rock ing Ho rse Reve i l l e